New BS7671 edition imminent....

[Lectrician]

Your predictions for the requirement of supplementary bonding in bathrooms in the future....?

Main equipotential bonding - plastic pipes - PME....?

RCBO's / RCD's increasing on circuits....?

Isolation for three phase supplies becoming four pole....?





Just predicting - looking at EN ****e - etc - drunk.

 

[Adam_151]

Not sure so these are as much predictions as things I'd like to see

1) RCD protection on LV circuits withing zones 1 and 2
2) Sockets (RCD protected) allowed in zone 3, if no bathroom socket then, then nearest socket to bathroom door to be RCD protected
3) Insulating membrane or bonded metal grid in concrete bathroom floors where PME is used
4) RCD protection for general purpose outlets in kitchens
5) Under counter white goods > 2kw not on RFC
6) CPCs to be connected to Phase instead of earth in homes of those reponsible for implimenting part P

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Yo - sockets in bathrooms.

Ring finals no longer allowed.

CD-ROM version of the regs and associated docs to be slashed in price.

 

[Stoday]

If there is to be an update it will be to enhance migration with Europe, especially with the services directive recently passed by the European parliament.

So forget any provisions that are not already implemented somewhere in Europe. And expect practices that are normal in Europe to be permitted here too.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

So forget any provisions that are not already implemented somewhere in Europe.

Like sockets in bathrooms?

And ring finals not allowed?

And expect practices that are normal in Europe to be permitted here too.

They already are....

 

[Qedelec]

How about allowing alarm circuits to dispense mains voltage to all exposed metal work, including door handles, when triggered to reduce prison overcrowding.

 

[securespark]

Yo - sockets in bathrooms.

Ban?

Do I take it you are in favour?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Indeed.

Why not?

 

[Stoday]

Like sockets in bathrooms?

Yep

And ring finals not allowed?

No. Why ban rings? There was a proposal to change to a universal euro plug some 20/30 years ago, but it got nowhere. Maybe time to resurrect it so you can have a smaller plug, but allow rings too, with fused plug.

 

[Pensdown]

Sockets (RCD protected) allowed in zone 3

Still using the chrome hairdryer?

Yo - sockets in bathrooms.

surely you've not got one as well

 

[ban-all-sheds]

No. Why ban rings?

Difficult to test.

Difficult to extend or to add sockets to, to the extent that people end up with dangerous modifications.

Danger from unbalanced loading.

If you read the regulations, and specifically the comments regarding Amendment 1 you can see that basically they jump through hoops and write explicit exemptions to the normal rules on circuit protection in order to permit them.

They were introduced at a time of shortage as quick and dirty kludge to provide increased capacity.

If they did not exist already, how seriously do you think anybody would take a suggestion that they should be introduced?

If they did not exist already, and you installed one, and backed it up with all the same calculations that the IEE do, what rating do you think one would pick up on a PIR?

If they are better than radials, why has no other country introduced them?

If they are not better, why not ban them?

 

[plugwash]

If they are better than radials, why has no other country introduced them?

britan wen't through a complete socket type change at the same time as introducing the rings. The problems with rings get much worse with low current designs as are typical in countries that use unfused plugs.

If they are not better, why not ban them?

because they have been in use for years as the dominent wiring system in the country and they don't seem to be killing anyone................

what i'm surprised we haven't seen yet is a socket that takes both british plugs and europlugs (either with fusing in the socket or a warning that its only to be put on lower current circuits).

 

[Stoday]

Wylex used to have the best system. Had 2 5 and 13A plugs. You could plug a 2 and 5 into a 13A socket, but not a 13 in a 5 or 2 A socket. All nice & flexible. (If you've seen them, they had a round earth pin and rectangular L&N pins)

Bit like Betamax, the better system failed...

 

[Pensdown]

They were introduced at a time of shortage as quick and dirty kludge to provide increased capacity

Thats correct and IMO they have limited use now. If you take a 10mtr radial the cost for 4mm cable would be around £9.00. If you formed a ring the cost for 20mtrs of 2.5 would be around £12.00 so there's not cost benefit to the customer either. + you have more labour costs to wire the ring. Even a 6mm radial is more cost effective but people may struggle to wire accessories with 2 6mm's

Prices taken form TLC

 

[ban-all-sheds]

because they have been in use for years as the dominent wiring system in the country and they don't seem to be killing anyone................

So has DIY electrical work and electricians working without being forced to join a trade association..........